NEW!The Diamond Handbook:
3rd Edition updates jewelry professionals and serious diamond
buyers on new developments in diamond grading, treatments, synthetic
diamonds, imitations, branded diamonds and fancy-color diamonds. Using
close-up photos, it shows how to make visual judgments about clarity,
transparency, brilliance and cut quality. As the Journal of Gemmology
stated in its review of the previous edition, the Diamond Handbook
“gives the trade reader virtually all the essential information needed to
buy and sell diamonds.”

A chapter on how to distinguish transparent
and black diamond imitations from real natural diamonds has been added. The
chapter on synthetic diamonds has eleven new pages, seven of which are photo
pages that help trade members identify HPHT- and CVD-grown diamonds with
magnification, fluorescence and crossed Polaroid filters. Photos and
information have been updated in the chapters on fancy color diamonds,
diamond fluorescence, diamond treatments, recutting diamonds and antique
cuts & jewelry.
A review in Gems & Gemology described a previous edition as “an
entire course on judging diamonds . . . useful to both the jewelry industry
and consumers.”

The revised second edition of the Diamond Handbook by Renée Newman
is a delight to read from cover to cover. With more than 200 new
colour photographs, the reader can appreciate the wonderful nuances of
colour in the world of diamonds and diamond jewellery.

New chapters to the Diamond Handbook have been added that focus on
fancy-coloured diamonds and how they are evaluated, diamond treatments and
how to detect them, a chapter on evaluating light performance in diamonds,
and additional information on man-made (synthetic) diamonds. The contents
are presented in a concise, clear and easy to read manner.

Basic diamond facts include the formation of diamonds, the major diamond
producing countries, optical properties, and the best lighting conditions
for viewing diamonds.

Diamond price factors describe the 4 C’s and include the GIA, CIBJO,
Scan D.N. and AGS colour grading scales. The many images of fancy shapes
give the reader a broad overview of the many shapes other than the
standard round brilliant cut available on the marketplace.

With the jewellery industry placing such importance on the cut grade for
diamonds, I found it very useful to see two chapters dedicated to judging
the cut of fancy shapes and the standard round brilliant. Wherever
possible, diamond photos include their grading information. This gives the
reader a visual reference for comparing colour, clarity and cut. Both the
GIA and AGS cut grading factors are compared in chart form. The topics of
windowing, bow-ties, thick girdles, inclusions, polish and ideal
proportions are well presented.

Judging the light performance of diamonds is presented in detail with
comparisons from the different grading labs. The chapter on clarity
includes many reference photos with their clarity grades. . .

In a new chapter, synthetic diamonds and their detection are discussed in
detail. . . . The subject of diamond treatments includes methods of
detecting the older techniques of foilbacking, coating and irradiation, as
well as new high pressure high temperature treatments. Clarity
enhancements and their detection, including laser drilling and glass
filling, are also discussed.

With increased consumer awareness of coloured diamonds, the industry has
been working to establish grading parameters for describing and evaluating
these diamonds. In the chapter dedicated to judging fancy coloured
diamonds, photos are used to illustrate some of the many colours, and the
description of colour terminology is explained.

Rounding out the book is a chapter on antique cuts and jewellery. The idea
of recutting diamonds to improve their appearance and value is examined.

Finally, about 25 branded diamonds are well illustrated with descriptions.
Did I forget to mention that a new glossary has been added?

The second edition of the Diamond Handbook is almost a complete
rewrite of the first. Very much has been done to improve the contents, now
with colour photos, tables, charts and updated information. This book will
be purchased by the consumer who wants more detailed information than just
the 4C’s. For the gemology student, trade professional or industry
employee, this book will be very helpful in upgrading or adding to your
knowledge of diamonds and this industry. A great deal of effort has gone
into producing this edition and it shows!

Canadian Gemmologist, 2008

All of the material
is presented in a very readable and intuitively structured format.
The photographs are of high quality and provide good illustrations of the
information that is covered. The tables are excellent. and provide a
concise, at-a-glance overview of some of the things I find myself having
to look up on occasion, e.g. cause of color in natural fancy colored
diamonds. At 186 pages, the Diamond Handbook is a very manageable
size and the quality of the publication recommends it as a ‘ready
reference’ and a pleasure to read . . . I believe that the Diamond
Handbook would be a valuable addition to any appraiser’s bookshelf.
It’s compact size and clear layout make it perfect to grab for a quick
reference during an appraisal, and it’s readability makes it accessible
to the layperson. I can easily see pulling it off the shelf to help
illustrate an explanation to a client or customer, or to use one of the
fine photographs as an example of a particular inclusion. At $19.95, I
think the Diamond Handbook is too well priced to pass up.

Jewelry
Appraiser, 2008

"Gives the
trade reader virtually all the essential information needed to buy and
sell diamonds. . .The book is an advance of the same author’s Diamond
Ring Buying Guide (6th edition, 2002).

"The text
covers everything the buyer needs to know, with useful comments on
lighting and first-class images. At all relevant points the author gives an
up-to-date list of references.

"No other
text in current circulation discusses re-cutting and its possible effects,
and the author’s discussion of the new topic of branded diamonds
conveniently brings together a number of examples of particular cuts
peculiar to different firms. . . . Brief and useful notes describe the
present position of synthetic gem diamond and treated diamond. Rip-offs
are soberly described and sensation avoided. This is a must for anyone
buying testing or valuing a polished diamond and for students in many
fields."

Journal of Gemmology

"The Diamond Handbook covers all aspects of diamond evaluation.
All of the material is presented in a very readable and intuitively
structured format. The photographs are of high quality and provide good
illustrations of the information that is covered. The tables are
excellent. and provide a concise, at-a-glance overview of some of the
things I find myself having to look up on occasion, e.g. cause of color in
natural fancy colored diamonds. At 186 pages, the Diamond Handbook is
a very manageable size and the quality of the publication recommends it as
a ‘ready reference’ and a pleasure to read.

"I believe that the Diamond Handbook would be a valuable
addition to any appraiser’s bookshelf. Its compact size and clear
layout make it perfect to grab for a quick reference during an appraisal,
and its readability makes it accessible to the layperson. I can easily see
pulling it off the shelf to help illustrate an explanation to a client or
customer, or to use one of the fine photographs as an example of a
particular inclusion. At $19.95, I think the Diamond Handbook is
too well priced to pass up."

Jewelry
Appraiser

"Impressively
comprehensive. . . . a practical,
well-organized and concisely written volume, packed with valuable
information. . . . Newman familiarizes us with some diamond-district
jargon and supplies us with a survival kit for our journey into the
jewellery jungle. And of course, she walks us through the 4 Cs. In fact,
Newman has given us a fifth C: Cut quality. She explains the importance of
proportions and finish to the brilliance, fire and overall beauty of a
diamond, and how these factors can affect the price of a stone by as much
as 50%.

"As a facetor,
I am always pleased to see the critical importance of good cutting not
only acknowledged but emphasized. In this respect, Newman has made me very
happy. She covers the history of diamond cuts and cutting styles, and even
devotes an entire chapter to the re-cutting of diamonds (information I
have not seen elsewhere) and how the cutter works his magic. Even more
valuable, however, are two chapters about how to judge the cut of fancy
shapes and round brilliants. Here the reader learns about the consequences
of bad cutting (bow ties, windows, fisheyes and nailheads) and how to
recognize them. The "anatomy" and proper proportions of a round
brilliant are discussed in detail, along with symmetry and polish.

In addition to his fifth C, we
are also given two T’s: transparency and Treatment status. Newman feels
that these three factors, taken in conjunction with the traditional 4
C’s, supply us with a more complete and reliable set of pricing
parameters. I agree. In particular, transparency (and its relation to
clarity) has been little understood and seldom addressed in most popular
publications.

"The Diamond
Handbook, is subtitled How to Look at Diamonds & Avoid Ripoffs.
This phrase neatly summarizes a major theme of the book–a theme that is
both sound and refreshing. Learn to use your own eyes when judging a
diamond! Don’t rely overly much on lab reports. Get to know what you
like (and dislike) in a diamond. Discover your own sense of beauty. She
reminds us that we are buying a gemstones and not a lab report: "We
need to strike a balance between using our hearts and our minds. We also
should realize that our opinion of a diamond is just as important as that
of a gem laboratory." Just do your homework, compare, and know what
you are paying for.

"As you have
probably gathered by now, I like this book a great deal. . . .The Diamond
Handbook is destined to become an indispensable reference for the
consumer and trade professional alike."

Canadian Gemmologist

"This is a new book that aims to update the diamond buyer’s
knowledge of what has happened to diamonds, diamond set jewellery, and the
diamond industry over the last decade or so . . . Those readers familiar
with previous editions of the author’s Diamond ring buying guide will
note the addition of useful information on antique cuts, recutting,
diamond gracing reports, and appraisals to this book. In addition the
chapters covering fluorescence, synthetic diamonds and fancy cuts have
been updated.

"As this reviewer has become accustomed to, the text of this book is accurate,
clear and very consumer oriented. That is not to say the gemmologist
will not learn quite a lot by carefully reading and considering the oft
very thoughtful arguments presented by the author. In summary, Diamond
handbook is a useful addition to both the popular and gemmological
literature."

Australian
Gemmologist

How
the Diamond Handbook differs

from
the Diamond Ring Buying Guide

Most of
the photos and explanations of diamond quality are different, and
there are more photos illustrating diamond cut and clarity.

The GIA cut grading system is explained and
illustrated

A chapter on antique cuts
and jewelry discusses the history of diamond cuts and describes the
various jewelry periods, using photo examples of diamond jewelry.

There’s an entire
chapter on diamond fluorescence.

The chapter on synthetic
diamonds describes HPHT- and CVD-grown diamonds and explains and
illustrates how
fluorescence, inclusions and magnification through crossed Polaroid
filters can be used to distinguish them from natural mined
diamonds as well as other identification techniques. It also explains the characteristics of types 1a & b and
types 2a & b diamonds.

Advanced methods and instruments for
detecting synthetic diamonds are discussed

A
chapter on fancy colored diamonds has been included.

Diamond recutting is
discussed, and before and after photos are provided

A chapter on branded
diamonds shows and describes many of the branded fancy shape diamonds
on the market.

The discussion of cut
quality has been divided into two chapters, one that focuses on
judging the brilliance of fancy-shaped diamonds and another that
discusses how to evaluate the pavilion, crown, table, girdle, culet,
symmetry and polish of round diamonds.

A
glossary is included.

Overall,
the Diamond Handbook is more advanced and has more in-depth
information on diamond evaluation and identification than the Diamond Ring Buying
Guide.